Sensible Action Needed Over Seagull Menace

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is supporting calls for the Government to research the extent of the urban seagull population in the UK.

The Government has estimated that there are 30,000 pairs of seagulls in the country but more recent research has shown that there are at least 14,000 pairs in the South West.

Mr Sanders has received several complaints from residents and visitors to Torbay in recent years over the prevalence of seagulls in the area with the birds often causing a noise nuisance to householders and exacerbating the litter problem by ripping open rubbish bags.

There are several sensible cost-effective solutions that Torbay Council and others could pursue and Mr Sanders is encouraging the Government to support such initiatives.

Adrian commented: “Torbay has had a seagull problem for some time: these creatures are often the embodiment of anti social behaviour and if they had a permanent address would certainly have received an ASSBO (Anti Social Seagull Behaviour Order) by now.”

“Some people have called for a cull of seagulls but there are more humane and more cost effective ways of dealing with seagulls that the council should look into and the Government must support.  In some areas such as Bath and even in Parliament birds of prey are used to dissuade seagulls from visiting certain areas and this could be used in Torbay, adding a little extra for the tourists into the bargain.”

Comments

[Adrian]

Dear Anthony,

Thanks very much for taking the time to look around my website.

I hope to see you in Torbay soon.

Adrian

[Anthony E Hughes]

You have many vital issue's which need to be tackled in Torbay at the moment, antisocial behaviour, environmental problems, drunkenness, shops closing, unemployment, reliance on tourism, and so many more difficulties.
When I was a child some sixty years ago, I use to visit Brixham and many of the older men use to sit on the harbour wall, and their hat was covered in gwana, my father ask one why he did not remove it, he said it was a privilage to be sprayed by his relations as Sea gulls carried the soul of the relations lost at sea. It created much laughter ?
I now live in St Ives and we seem to have problems with seagulls pinching pastys, and any item of food, but the easy answer is don't eat in the street.
I am soon to live in Torquay and looking forward to it, and I hope to fight for the seagulls.
Andrew George (fellow Lib Dem) keeps his head down when it comes to seagulls, but as a good MP he tries to concentrate on the important issues, we have simular problems as Torbay ?
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Best Wishes
Anthony E Hughes